Just like they drew it up.
In a battle for top spot in the South Division, the Okotoks Bantam AA Oilers looked to be a fish out of water before scoring four unanswered in the third period to rise above the Taber Golden Suns in a thrilling 4-2 finish Saturday at Pason Centennial Arena.
“That was a very emotional game,” said Okotoks Bantam AA head coach Mike Glawson. “We got out-shot in the second period 22-2. For our kids it was gut-check time at the second intermission.
“It was our third and final time playing Taber in the regular season and the series was 1-1. Also, first place in the South Division was on the line.”
Taber, which entered the contest with a one-point lead on Okotoks for top-spot, controlled play through the first two periods and out-shot the Oilers 22-2 in the middle frame while clinging to a 2-0 advantage.
“We had a little heart to heart with the boys in the second intermission,” Glawson said. “We needed someone to step up and we got that.”
Scott Brown kick-started the comeback with an even strength marker.
Jakob Mather took care of the rest, registering a natural hat-trick in less than nine minutes of action to give Okotoks the two-goal advantage.
“He’s really stepped up this year and taken on that responsibility,” Glawson said. “Going into the game I told the boys someone has to step up. Kai Uchacz, who’s a first-year player and our leading scorer, was missing because he was called up to the AAA Bantam team.
“Jakob Mather has been one of those guys when the pressure is on, he’s a guy we can look down the bench to and say ‘we need a goal now’ and he’s a guy that will deliver.”
Gage Alexander gave the Oilers every opportunity to rise up in the final stanza.
The six-foot-three goaltender stopped 43 of 45 shots in a stellar afternoon to improve his record to 8-0-3.
“He held us in there and gave our kids every opportunity to go into that third period and pick up some points,” the coach added. “He’s second overall in the entire league in goaltending stats, he’s yet to lose a hockey game.
“If we were to name an MVP right now, he would be our MVP.”
Following a lopsided loss in its first game of the calendar year, the Oilers (15-5-6) have skated six times without a loss. It’s the result of a dedication to structure and work ethic.
“We don’t want to get outworked by hockey teams,” Glawson said. “With us hosting the AA Bantam playoff tournament this year, they know there is a lot of eyes on them this year. They know that we’re a measuring stick for a lot of teams.
“They’ve taken that as a positive, taken it as motivation and are using it to their advantage.”
Okotoks looks to extend its unbeaten streak this weekend in Olds when it ventures to the Grizzlys den on Feb. 5. The team’s next home date is Feb. 11 versus the Medicine Hat Hounds.
For full schedule information go to scahl.com
